What Causes Warts? How Can They Be Treated?

Warts on the skin may not be highly dangerous, but they can affect a person’s self-confidence. If left untreated, they may spread and become more difficult to manage. Just hearing the name “wart” is enough to make anyone uneasy. Let’s take a closer look at what causes warts and how they can be treated.

Key Topics About Warts

• What are warts?
• What causes warts?
• Types of warts
  
• Symptoms of warts
  
• Wart treatment options 
  
• Are warts dangerous?
  
• Why treatment matters
  
• Self-care and prevention tips

What Are Warts?

Warts are small growths on the skin that may appear rough, hard, or smooth depending on the type. They can develop on various parts of the body and are contagious through direct contact.

What Causes Warts?

Warts are caused by the Human Papillomavirus (HPV), which stimulates skin cells to grow abnormally, resulting in raised bumps or skin tags. Warts can affect people of all ages and genders, and some individuals may carry the virus without showing any symptoms.

Warts tend to thrive in moist areas of the body and can spread through skin-to-skin contact, sharing personal items, or sexual activity. While generally not dangerous, they can affect self-confidence and may be associated with other health issues.

Types of Warts

1. Common Warts usually found on the fingers, palms, or elbows. They appear as hard, rough-surfaced bumps that match the color of the surrounding skin.

2. Plantar Warts found on the soles of the feet. These warts may appear flat due to pressure from walking and sometimes contain small black dots, which are tiny blood vessels.

3. Flat Warts typically develop on the face, arms, or legs. They are small, smooth, and flesh-colored bumps that lie flat on the skin.

4. Genital Warts appear around the genital area or anus. They are soft, flesh-colored growths with a rough surface, resembling cauliflower. These warts are transmitted through sexual contact.

5. Periungual Warts occur around or under the fingernails or toenails. They may distort nail .

Symptoms of Warts

The most common sign of a wart is a raised bump on the skin, typically around 10 millimeters in size. Warts may appear smooth and flesh-colored or rough and darker in color (often black or brown). They can be single or clustered, and are commonly found on the palms, soles, face, or neck.

Genital warts, also known as condyloma acuminata, can appear on the genitals, groin, or around the anus. If left untreated and allowed to grow larger, they may lead to complications or pose health risks.

Wart Treatment Options

Topical Medication

Topical treatment is usually the first-line option for small or mild warts. It typically involves the use of salicylic acid, which gradually peels away the wart.

Pros: Can be done at home; inexpensive

Cons: Takes time; some types of warts may not respond

Cryotherapy (Freezing with Liquid Nitrogen)

This method uses liquid nitrogen at -196°C to freeze the wart, causing the tissue to die and fall off. It is commonly used for common warts, plantar warts, or those unresponsive to topical medication. Treatments may need to be repeated every 1–2 weeks.

Pros: Quick procedure; minimal wound

Cons: Can be painful during treatment; often requires multiple sessions

Available at Intouch Medicare

Electrocautery (Electric Burning)

This technique uses heat from electric current to destroy wart tissue. It’s typically used for larger warts or those resistant to other treatments. Local anesthesia is applied to minimize pain.

Pros: Fast and effective—often resolved in one session
Cons: May leave a scar; some downtime may be needed

Available at Intouch Medicare

Surgical Excision

In this method, the wart is cut out using a scalpel or specialized tools. It is recommended for large, deep-rooted, or painful warts that do not respond to other treatments. Local anesthesia or localized numbing is used.
Pros: Immediate removal in a single session
Cons: Higher risk of scarring; recurrence is possible

Are Warts Dangerous?

Most warts are harmless and may go away on their own within 6 months to 2 years. However, in some cases, warts can be more problematic, such as:

• Painful or rapidly growing warts – especially on the soles of the feet or around the nails, which can cause discomfort or difficulty walking.

• Genital warts (Condyloma acuminata) – caused by high-risk strains of HPV and may increase the risk of cervical cancer, genital cancer, or anal cancer.

• Warts that spread quickly – in people with weakened immune systems (e.g., diabetes or those on immunosuppressive drugs), warts can become more severe and harder to treat.

Why Treatment Matters

The importance of treating warts lies in preventing their spread, as they can be transmitted through direct contact. Treatment also helps reduce pain and discomfort, and prevents permanent scarring that may result from scratching or allowing the wart to grow larger.

In some cases, such as genital warts, prompt treatment can also lower the risk of cancer. High-risk strains of HPV are linked to cervical cancer, genital cancer, and anal cancer.

Self-Care and Prevention of Warts

Self-care when you have warts

• Avoid picking, scratching, or cutting warts with sharp objects, as this can cause the virus to spread.

• Wash your hands thoroughly after touching a wart.

• Cover the wart with a bandage to reduce the risk of spreading it to other parts of the body.

• Avoid walking barefoot in public places like communal bathrooms or swimming pools.

Preventing warts

• Avoid direct contact with someone else’s warts.

• Do not share personal items such as towels or nail clippers.

• Wear shoes or sandals in public areas like bathrooms or gyms.

• Use condoms during sexual activity to reduce the risk of contracting HPV, which causes genital warts.

• Get vaccinated against HPV to lower the risk of genital warts and HPV-related cancers.

Interesting Articles

• Wart Removal, Skin Tag Removal, and Keloid Scar Treatment

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• What are keloids or keloid scars? What causes them and where is the best place for treatment?

Mr.Achawin Thamsoonthorn
General Manager

Latest edit : 16/02/2026

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